Neda approves $1B worth of projects

Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan: There is need to improve the skill sets of the poorest families. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The government has approved the rollout of nine new infrastructure projects worth more than $1 billion as part of efforts to boost the country’s competitiveness and ensure the sustainability of the economy’s current boom.

However, one major big-ticket project, the Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike, which at an estimated cost of $2.73 billion is the most expensive in the government’s pipeline, was not given the green light for undisclosed reasons.

Projects approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), chaired by President Aquino, this week included the establishment of a Bus Rapid Transit system in Cebu and the privatization of the Light Rail Transit line 2’s operations and maintenance (O&M contract).

“The approved projects are aimed at improving the level and standards of service in the water, health and transport sectors as called for in the Updated Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016 toward achieving inclusive growth,” Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisaca said in a statement. “These crucial projects will greatly help facilitate and fast-track the needed infrastructure-support of the economy.”

The Cebu bus system, which will serve as the city’s main mass transit infrastructure, is worth P10.62 billion and will be bid out by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC). The LRT line 2’s O&M contract had an approved value of P14.34 billion.

Other undertakings approved were for the construction of the Laoag City Bypass Link Road worth (P1.19 billion), the Busuanga Airport development (P4.1 billion), the modernization of the Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital (P2 billion), the Water District Development Sector (P2.69 billion), the Angat Water Transmission Improvement project (P5.78 billion), and the New Centennial Water Source—Kaliwa      Dam project (P18.72 billion).

Also approved was the Clark Green City Master Development Plan, which will involve the development of a total of 9,450 hectares of land at the former US military base.

The projects approved by the Neda board are expected to cost P45.04 billion or more than $1 billion.

Absent in the list of approved projects was the Laguna Lakeshore Expressway, which aims to establish a 47-kilometer expressway dike with two sections—Bicutan-Calamba and Calamba-Los Baños. The project will also involve the reclamation and development of 500-700 hectares of land.